Christie's Labor Of Love

Jason Christie recently finished up rigging his new Ranger aluminum boat and plans to use it on the Arkansas River near his home in eastern Oklahoma.

By BassFan Staff

Jason Christie cut his teeth as an angler in the shallow, dirty water of the Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma.

Over the past 5 years, he's blossomed into one of the most successful pro bass anglers and the two-tour pro isn't showing any signs of slowing down. He's won four tour-level tournaments over the past two seasons and is getting set to fish three events over the next three weeks in three different states  the Delaware River Elite Series, the Forrest Wood Cup and the Cayuga Lake Elite Series.

This spring, Christie embarked on a side project at home  rigging a new Ranger 1862 aluminum boat for use on lakes and rivers around his home. He traded notes with fellow pro David Walker, who completed a similar aluminum boat project last year.

In the photo gallery below, Christie shared with BassFan some of the steps involved in the process, from installing a trolling motor and electronics to Power-Poles and transducers.

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Blank Slate

This is how the Ranger 1862 aluminum boat looked when it was delivered to Jason Christie's house this spring. The boat is 18 feet, 4 inches long and is able to handle up to a 90-hp outboard: (Photo: Jason Christie)

Now For The Fun Part

Christie opted to install a 36-volt Motorguide trolling motor because he wanted something strong enough to handle the currents in the rivers he fishes around home. (Photo: Jason Christie)

Big Picture

Christie opted to install a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit at the console. He added StructureScan in order to pinpoint crappie in the winter and to help locate catfish when drift fishing. (Photo: Jason Christie)

Power Pack

The 90-horse Mercury Optimax is flanked by a pair of 6-foot Power-Poles, which will allow Christie to hunker down in swift currents and sit over shallow brush when fishing for crappie. (Photo: Jason Christie)

Jack It Up

Christie had an Atlas Micro Jacker jack plate from TH Marine installed so he'll be able to access shallow water. It'll also allow him to get on plane in just a few inches of water. (Photo: Jason Christie)

All Wired Up

Getting There

Here's how the Lowrance HDS 9 looks at the console along with the remote buttons for the Power-Poles. (Photo: Jason Christie)

Front Loaded

The front deck of Christie's tin boat looks a lot like his big fiberglass boat, complete with a Lowrance HDS 7 Touch unit, a HydroWave and Power-Pole buttons. He installed the recessed foot pedal so it felt the same as his big boat. (Photo: Jason Christie)

Pulling Power

Christie went with the G-Force trolling motor cord from TH Marine to made it easier to move from spot to spot. (Photo: Jason Christie)

Finished Product

Christie figured he put 16 to 20 hours into getting his new boat rigged just how he wanted it. Now it's ready to hit the Arkansas River. (Photo: Jason Christie)